I am writing to share some important information with you about our
progress on the implementation of Canada’s Video Relay Service.

CAV-ACS is a brand new organization so we are still working to get
our administrative resources in place, while at the same time,
making progress in the development of VRS.

With regard to VRS, we are involved in a two-step process which
includes:

Acquiring
the technology platform that will power our VRS system.

Selecting
the video interpreter providers who will provide call centres
and ASL and LSQ interpreting services.

We
are well advanced in the process to select the platform, but we are
in the beginning stages with the video interpreting providers.
The system will also include mobile apps and apps for PCs, MACs
and tablets. More information about the start date for Canada’s new
VRS will be available after the contracts are in place.

We’re also developing a website for CAV so we can begin communicating
with you more frequently in English and French, ASL and LSQ. Our goal
is to launch the website before the end of this year.

Every step that CAV takes is planned with great care and meets high
quality expectations. VRS involves complex technologies, and we
cannot rush the process. We are bringing due diligence to every
activity we are undertaking to ensure we launch a service that is
reliable and effective, and delivers the kind of service Canadians
want and deserve.

We’re all in this together. We’re writing history and we’re looking
forward to VRS coming in 2016. Personally, I can’t wait to add my VRS
phone number to my business card.

Monday, 21 September 2015

Dr. Megan
Jack is a new family doctor who will be accepting patients at ACCESS
Downtown, 640 Main St. She
is deaf, fluent in American Sign Language and is open to seeing D/deaf and hard
of hearing patients. If you do not have a family doctor, please go to Family
Doctor Finder (https://www.gov.mb.ca/health/familydoctorfinder/register.html or
phone 204-786-7111) and
under Your Preferences for a Health Care Provider, type American Sign Language
as your preferred language. Family Doctor Finder will then connect you with
ACCESS Downtown.

Wednesday, 9 September 2015

On Sunday, September 27th, TD Friends of the Environment Foundation will be hosting a morning tree planting event in Winnipeg!

Please see the details and video below for more information.

Hope to see you there!

Deaf Community Plantings

Building on the success of its inaugural Deaf Community planting in 2014, TD Friends of the Environment Foundation is hosting 10 Deaf Community Plantings across Canada. TD will provide American Sign Language (ASL) interpreters at each site to facilitate communication between Deaf and hearing volunteers.

I want to respond to some questions about the
Deaf yoga class in the Leisure Guide.

The class was listed as Yoga for ASL. That is
not the name I gave them. City staff changed the name. The class is listed in
the disabilities section of the Leisure Guide. I think it is on page 50. The
class is on Wednesdays at 6:00 - 7:00 at the St. James Civic Centre, 2055 Ness
Ave. There are only 3 registered right now. I understand that some people have
had difficulty registering. If you want to attend the class please register
right away. If you have problems registering let me know and I will get City
staff to help you.

I will be contacting the person in charge of the
program to discuss the issues that members of the Deaf community have pointed
out to me. I hope we are able to go ahead with the class next week.

Friday, 4 September 2015

Severe Thunderstorm Warning

City of Winnipeg

Issued at 13:44 Friday 04 September 2015

At 1:44 p.m. CDT, Environment Canada meteorologists are tracking a cluster of severe thunderstorms capable of producing strong wind gusts, dime to nickel size hail and heavy rain.
The cluster of severe thunderstorms will move into the Winnipeg area around 2 pm. The main threats with these thunderstorms will be torrential rainfall, with 50 mm possible in localized areas. Intense and frequent lightning is also expected.
Updated or ended by 2:43 p.m. CDT.
At 1:44 p.m. CDT, Environment Canada meteorologists are tracking a cluster of severe thunderstorms capable of producing strong wind gusts, dime to nickel size hail and heavy rain.
The cluster of severe thunderstorms will move into the Winnipeg area around 2 pm. The main threats with these thunderstorms will be torrential rainfall, with 50 mm possible in localized areas. Intense and frequent lightning is also expected. Find out more ›

Severe Thunderstorm Watch

City of Winnipeg

Issued at 10:26 Friday 04 September 2015

Conditions are favourable for the development of dangerous thunderstorms that may be capable of producing strong wind gusts, large hail and torrential rain.
Several days of heat and humidity are set to end with the passage of a cold front through southern Manitoba this afternoon and evening. As the front moves east this afternoon, thunderstorms will likely develop, some of which may become severe with large hail, gusty winds and heavy to torrential rains being the main threats. The thunderstorm threat will likely continue through the evening hours as they track into northwestern Ontario by early Saturday morning.
Fast moving water across a road can sweep a vehicle away. Large hail can damage property and cause injury. Remember, severe thunderstorms can produce tornadoes. Be prepared for severe weather. Take cover immediately, if threatening weather approaches. Stay indoors when a thunderstorm strikes. There isn't a place outside that is safe during a thunderstorm.
Environment Canada meteorologists will update alerts as required. Please monitor local media or Weatheradio. To report severe weather, send an email to storm@ec.gc.ca or tweet reports to #MBStorm. Find out more ›

We are hosting a Deaf Literacy Program (DLP) information night about why RRC has decided to close DLP.
It will be on Thursday, Sept. 10 at RRC in the Orange Lecture Theatre (Mall
Level) at 7pm. Hope everyone will be able to come.

Please see the below announcement from Graham Thomson, Dean, School of Business & Applied Arts:

Tuesday, 1 September 2015

Winnipeg,
MB –
The City of Winnipeg’s Insect Control Branch was able to complete all the
scheduled Insect Management Areas last night except for Insect Management
Areas 19 and
43 for
adult nuisance mosquito fogging.

Daily
public service announcementsPublic
Service Announcements (PSAs) will be released daily at least eight hours in
advance of fogging. These PSAs will identify the Insect Management Areas the
Insect Control Branch is planning to treat that evening, weather permitting.
Until further notice, fogging will be carried out on a daily basis between
the hours of 9:30 p.m. and 6:30 a.m. Fogging will not occur when
temperatures are below 13 degrees Celsius and/or wind speeds are not
conducive to fogging.

The
insecticide Pro Malathion ULV® will be used. This insecticide has been
approved for use in Canada by Health Canada’s Pest Management Regulatory
Agency. Pro Malathion ULV® will be used in accordance with federally approved
label directions by licensed pesticide applicators.

Buffer
zonesAll
buffer zones will be respected. Crews will ensure that the sprayer is not
treating within 90 metres on each side of a registered property on the front
street, side street, and rear lane.

Property owners not wanting insecticides
applied on or adjacent to their principal residence may register as
“Anti-Pesticide Registrants” (APR) for the adult nuisance mosquito control
program. Those who wish to register must provide identification that ties the
registrant to the address being registered for a buffer zone. A photocopy or
scanned document such as a driver’s licence or a utility bill will suffice as
acceptable identification proving primary residence. Remember – a 72-hour
turnaround time is required.

Phone
and email notificationThe
Insect Control Branch offers an automated telephone and email notification
system. Residents who register for this service will receive daily phone or
email notifications during all fogging for adult mosquito control. To
register for the automated email or telephone notification systems, citizens
can go to City of Winnipeg –
Register for Notificationor call 311.

Larviciding
and residual treatmentsThe
Insect Control Branch’s extensive larviciding and residual treatment programs
will continue throughout the city in conjunction with the fogging program.